Isaiah 21 - Meaning, Themes & Application

" The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land. "

" A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease. "

" Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing "

" My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear "

Isaiah 21:4 shows a man overwhelmed by fear as coming judgment replaces his comfort and enjoyment. What was once a peaceful, happy night is now …

" Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield. "

" For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth. "

" And he saw a chariot with a couple of horsemen, a chariot of asses, and a chariot of camels; and he hearkened diligently with much heed: "

" And he cried, A lion: My lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights: "

" And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground. "

" O my threshing, and the corn of my floor: that which I have heard of the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have I declared "

" The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? "

" The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come. "

" The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye travelling companies of Dedanim. "

" The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled. "

" For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war. "

" For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of an hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail: "

" And the residue of the number of archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be diminished: for the LORD God of Israel hath spoken "